How to add VFP9 to Windows 8.1 machine

[OldtTimerDon]

I'm 78 years old and just moved from a machine running Vista to 8.1 and I'm confused.
Help is desperately needed!

 

[Olaf Doschke]

How to install VFP9?

As always, insert CD, wait for autorun and go. If autorun does not start, start setup from the cd.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Dan Freeman]

I just did this a week or so ago. There weren't any surprises.

Did you have something that went wrong?

 

[OldtTimerDon]

My appeal for help was based on a problem I had trying to load Family Tree Maker. Because of the negative experience, I expected the same result with VFP.
I followed Olaf's advice and everything went smoothly (which was exactly what I tried with FTM).

I've been involved with computers for more than 30 years but being retired for more than 10, I have not kept up with the changes. The computer this is being written on is running Vista. I'm still trying to rapidly assimilate technology changes. In the past few weeks, I've bought an iPad2 and an iPhone 5c. My old flip-top phone was just a step above having a rotary dial. I'm still using Office 2007 and my budget can't take software upgrades at this point. Sadly, I can't find my install disks for some of my programs so I'll have to muddle around. I may have to go with free Office type clones.

BTW, my new HP All-in-one computer was a birthday present. It is today.
Many thanks, Olaf and Dan.

Don

 

[Dan Freeman]

Happy Birthday, Don!

There are two utilities I've found very useful for dealing with Windows 8.1, both from

http://www.stardock.com:

* Start8: provides a familiar Start menu
* ModernMix: Puts all those tiled apps in the Metro interface into windows of their own

The two will set you back less than the price of a pizza.

(I don't normally "do" shell enhancements like this, but I found these extremely useful and well-behaved.)

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Happy Birthday, Don!

One thing to do after the VFP9 installation is to remove broken web links from the task pane manager:

*-- Open the TaskPane content table
USE ADDBS(justpath(_foxtask))+'TaskPane\PaneContent'

*-- Move problematic web links to OptionPage memo
REPLACE OptionPage WITH Data FOR DataSrc = 'U' AND 'gotdotnet.com' $ LOWER(Data)
REPLACE Data WITH '' FOR DataSrc = 'U' AND 'gotdotnet.com' $ LOWER(Data)

USE

The typical thing others do is to turn off automatic start of the task panein it's options.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Hi Don,

We haven't seen you here for a while. Good to know you are still busy.

Regarding Windows 8.1, I understand that Microsoft are about to launch an upgrade that will make it easier to install and launch traditional Windows applications (or maybe they have already done so). The new version will (I understand) launch into desktop mode by default, and will have a real Start menu - not the fake Start button in the original release of 8.1. In fact, you won't have to see the "modern" interface (or whatever they call it) at all.

You might find life that little bit easier if you can install that update. But, in any case, don't get too discouraged. We all have to face these sorts of obstances from time to time.

Mike



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Olaf Doschke]

I hear very differing experiences about the start screen. It has become less of an annoyance than anticipated, eg you use the keyboard Windows key, then starttyping word, vfp, outlook and find it that way. Also right click on the start "menu" icon gives you some things, eg command window, control panel and also shut down. Then the start screen has the down arrow icon to go into a new overview mode of all programs (about the same as the right arrow icon in Windows Phone start screen).

The start screen mode is a pain for remote access, as you have to aim for corner pixels in some cases and in multi monitor that's also just possible in the right or leftmost screen. At least there are some hotkeys like Windows+C for charms.

I wouldn't mind not having the classic start menu now that I'm used to, but for remote desktop some other behaviour still would be nice to have.

I am currently studing Exam Ref material by MS Press 70-483, 70-484, 70-485, which are about Windows Store apps (aka metro aka tile apps), and I can agree to some ideas about the start screen interface without all the chrome and better suited for touch. I don't think it'll be very successful, though, even with changed modes of 8.1.

All in all I see the start screen at login and when locking the desktop mainly, I use VFP9, Office 2013 and VS2013/C# and no live tile app, I also prefer browsers in desktop mode, but I also don't have a touch screen or tablet, but a desktop replacement HP notebook with 2 additional monitors at a docking station with additional keyboard and mouse (wireless), so you can use Win8.1 as classical desktop quite ok.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Olaf Doschke]

I hear very differing experiences about the start screen. It has become less of an annoyance than anticipated, eg you use the keyboard Windows key, then starttyping word, vfp, outlook and find it that way. Also right click on the start "menu" icon gives you some things, eg command window, control panel and also shut down. Then the start screen has the down arrow icon to go into a new overview mode of all programs (about the same as the right arrow icon in Windows Phone start screen).

The start screen mode is a pain for remote access, as you have to aim for corner pixels in some cases and in multi monitor that's also just possible in the right or leftmost screen. At least there are some hotkeys like Windows+C for charms.

I wouldn't mind not having the classic start menu now that I'm used to, but for remote desktop some other behaviour still would be nice to have.

I am currently studing Exam Ref material by MS Press 70-483, 70-484, 70-485, which are about Windows Store apps (aka metro aka tile apps), and I can agree to some ideas about the start screen interface without all the chrome and better suited for touch. I don't think it'll be very successful, though, even with changed modes of 8.1.

All in all I see the start screen at login and when locking the desktop mainly, I use VFP9, Office 2013 and VS2013/C# and no live tile app, I also prefer browsers in desktop mode, but I also don't have a touch screen or tablet, but a desktop replacement HP notebook with 2 additional monitors at a docking station with additional keyboard and mouse (wireless), so you can use Win8.1 as classical desktop quite ok.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[OldtTimerDon]

8.1 is getting me frustrated. Fortunately, I decided to lease the Pro version of Office 2013 and that meant that a Microsoft gal in El Salvador took control of my machine and did the install. Sadly, I am not able to get my email on my regular account because my provider has Pop3 service and Outlook is not supported. So, I had to download Thunderbird...it's an acceptable alternative.
So far, I detest 8.1. It seems that every time I try to do something I get a message that my video display needs to be updated, my Internet Explorer is not the current version, my system is running slow... Why should I need a program to improve the speed of a new machine that has virtually nothing on it? I'm inclined to believe that many of the programs that came with my HP Pavilion All-in-one are promo programs to entice buying upgrades including MacAfee.

My frustration began when I bought a Seagate Expansion drive from a company in India who I have a service contract with. The idea was I would back up my Vista system to the drive and when I got my HP, transfer the files using the backup. Great, trouble is no instructions came with the drive and when I installed it I used the Backup program that came with Vista. I'm having trouble restoring just a single directory to the HP.

Next problem. I installed Family Tree Maker 2014 on the HP from the disc I used on the Vista machine several months ago. When the install was completed it was supposed to download an update. Nothing happened and clicking on the icon did nothing. I called FTM and was sent an email with a link to do a manual install of the update. When I click on the link, I end up with offers to upgrade my software which I refuse to do. I am really annoyed at this point. After 30 years of working with computers and developing programs I feel as though technology has passed me bye.

That's my rant. I'm fed up, gonna have dinner and call it a night. Tomorrow, I'll probably spent a few hours on the phone with India.

I really appreciate the help I've received from the experts on this thread.
Thank you all!
Don

 

[Bryan - Gendev]

Don,

Please be patient..

I have Win 8.1 update on my desktop PC along with the 2 Stardock apps mentioned by Olaf.

It just as if I hadn't moved from Win 7.

My TMG and PathWiz! work fine but I'm not into FTM.

Regards

Gendev

 

[Mike Lewis]

I have Win 8.1 update on my desktop PC along with the 2 Stardock apps mentioned by Olaf.
It just as if I hadn't moved from Win 7.

That's interesting, GenDev. It confirms what I have heard about the "8.1 update" (I assume you are referring to the recent update to 8.1, not to the original release of 8.1 last year, which was itself an update of the original Windows 8.)

I must say that I sympathise with Don. I bought a Windows 8 laptop about 15 months ago. I hated it. The entire system seemed to be oriented towards sharing your photos and watching videos and buying useless app rather than for doing serious work. It felt like a toy. And everything was in the wrong place. All the intuitive features that Windows had acquired over the years seemed to have been thrown away. I stuck with it for a few months, then gave the thing away.

I did install the Stardock Start Menu replacement, which was excellent. But that was not enough to endear me to the system.

Now, having said all that, I feel sure that at least some of Don's problems are not directly related to Windows 8, but are the result of poor support and other issues.

Mike



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Olaf Doschke]

at least some of Don's problems are not directly related to Windows 8, but are the result of poor support and other issues.

I guess so, too.

For one: Restoring a backup needs the same backup and Win8 does have "File History", and also a full image backup is possible, but the old XP/Vista/Win7 backup/restore is not there anymore.

I mostly move files by simply using an external drive and copy them there 1:1 without any backup application. Or use Google Drive, Dropbox, etc for things you need in several places. Or use Acronis or other tools to create a full image of a drive to restore, but that's mainly there to restore a system including OS, so to recover the same system, not a new one. In general there is no good application to move from one to the next system, no matter if an OS upgrade is done or not, you have new hardware, other drivers, etc. I updated a netbook from Win7 to Win8 and that worked ok, but rendered that system useless, too weak.

So, if you move to new hardware the best thing to keep your data is to copy them manually on external driver or a simple home up to pro NAS system, the best way to move software is to reinstall, unless you know specific things, eg it's quite easy to move VFP by copying the HOME() folder, installing runtimes via Prolib installers and do a /regserver call to reregister file extensions, SET HELP, and some more details. Well, or reinstall.

Anyway, you can't simply move any installations to a new system, that's not only this way since Win8.1, you reinstall software and keep CDs and downloads for doing so, I don't remember any previous easy move to a new system, so that's not Win8s fault, that's MSs fault. Apple systems offer a moving wizard actually working, including the apps you buy via iTunes. You also don't get the feeling you have a toy system, the app/iTunes store is there for any software from simple apps and games up to suites, so that's mainly another thing MS has adopted late and this time too late for at least some older Windows users, to which I begin to count myself, too. This store system is known to the younger generation, moving to PCs coming from the smart phone, if at all. Our generation moved from mainframe or at least from early systems like C64, Atari ST or Amiga to PCs, internet came later and app stores are not our world.

Use your new iPad and iPhone, and then come back. I think you begin to see how things merge, you might still want a differentiation from a PC to the new device generation, like most of use, but the consistency is a chance, too.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Bryan - Gendev]

Mike said

> But that was not enough to endear me to the system.

Unless I move the mouse to the RHS I don't have to even worry about WIN 8's modern apps and other facilities on the Charms Bar.

BUT I do go there and use quite a number of them - I'm becoming so used to my dual personality PC I just use whichever 'side' I want to do a particular job.

I think WIN 8 has some 'enhancements' to the 'guts' of WIN 7 that make it faster and more stable.

Update 8.1 came as a Windows update file and installed seamlessly.

The only down side to WIN 8 is that some of my older hardware drivers no longer work - but that's always been the case when moving up the OS pathway IMHO.

My VFP stuff works perfectly in WIN 8

GenDev

 

[Mike Lewis]

Unless I move the mouse to the RHS I don't have to even worry about WIN 8's modern apps and other facilities on the Charms Bar.

When I was struggling with Windows 8, I drew up a long list of things I hated about it - and many of them were unrelated to the charms bar and the modern interface. It was well over a year ago now, and I no longer have the list, so I can't bore you with them. But I do stress that I tried hard to get used to it. I gave it up only after many weeks of frustration.

I'm sure you're right that things have improved a lot with the latest update. No doubt I will have to face it all again before long. I'm hoping for a better experience next time.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Just a note: Dan deserves the credit for mentioning Stardock add ons.

I remember "Classic (S)hell", which I read about, but also never used.

And Mike: While Windows 8.1 update has been there quite long, the announced update of the start menu is not yet available, but 8.1 already changed things to the better in comparison of 8.0.

If it's about projects (PJX or SLN) or documents (DOC(X), XLS(X), PDF and more) I mostly work with Windows Explorer as my "shell", Windows+E. I'm used to that for a long time and that also still works OK. Some of the apps I (re)start from the start screen are Outlook and Lync. Communication/Collaboration things you mostly have running all day, not document oriented. I also have pinned Firefox to the task bar. This way I use the start menu seldom and that was still true for NT/XP/Vista/Win7. Well, on NT and XP you had the Iexplorer icon as part of the desktop, XP introduced the start icon on the task bar.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Dan Freeman]

I bought a Windows 8 laptop about 15 months ago. I hated it. The entire system seemed to be oriented towards sharing your photos and watching videos and buying useless app rather than for doing serious work. It felt like a toy. And everything was in the wrong place. All the intuitive features that Windows had acquired over the years seemed to have been thrown away. I stuck with it for a few months, then gave the thing away.

I was so underwhelmed by Win8, in general, I bought a Mac instead.

If I'm going to learn something completely new it should be something that interests me or has some utility for me. Win8 had none of either, but I was really keen on developing for IOS which does take a Mac.

I'm running Win8.1 (in a VM on a Mac) but solely so I can also run VFP, and at that I only see Windows when I choose because the VM I'm using (Parallels) pops every "window" out of Windows and floats it on the Mac desktop. (The folks who make Parallels licensed the Stardock utilities and provide them to their customers for free. That's how much THEY think of the UI.)

 

[OldtTimerDon]

Dan, Mike, Olaf (and others).

It took me half am hour to connect with iYogi support in India. Once connected, I was on the phone for 2.75 hours as the technician took control of my HP Pavilion.
He began by deleting various bloatware programs that kept popping up windows because "my software needed upgrades, my drivers were obsolete, my machine was running slow, etc."

After deleting quite a few files, he fixed my Family Tree Maker program, installed Firefox and a few other free programs that I've used in the past. Earlier in the day, I copied my Vista documents folder to my expansion drive. When the tech was through, I selected some folders from my Vista documents folder and copied them to the documents folder on my new system. They work fine.

In addition to

http://www.stardock.com,

I still have Quicken 2013 and MyHeritage, another genealogy program to install but that can wait until the fellows who are doing repairs on my place after a laundry room flood are done.

BTW, my absence from this site has been because of my commitment to the discovery of my family tree. A little more than a year ago, I had my DNA tested since the name of my father was unknown to me. For more than three months, I would get leads to fourth and later generations of cousins. They meant nothing to me and left mee wondering why I had my DNA tested. Then, one day I received notice of a second generation match. I immediately wrote to the fellow. He responded by telling me that he recently had surgery and would not be able to answer my query until he recuperated.

About a month later, I followed up and learned he was in Walter Reed Hospital receiving cancer therapy treatment and he didn't have access to his family tree data. This prompted an email from me asking for the surnames of his parents aand grandparents and the area where they resided. His response rang a bell in my memory. Forty years before, I coerced my mother into revealing the name of my father by telling her I knew it was not the man whose name was on my birth certificate. She gave me a name which I tracked at the local library. I learned that he had died when I was 13 and left a wife and two daughters. His obit also listed his parents and nine siblings.

So, 20 years after his death, I doubted my mother's revelation. She had told me other falsehoods in the past and so I gave up the quest. After all, with the info I had, the best I could hope for was to knock on the door of one of his brother and say "I think we may be related."

Well, haunted by a family tree that had no paternal limb, I had my DNA tested. Eventually, it confirmed my mother's claim. That led me to dig into tracking his family. A major challenge in genealogy is to track women whose surname changes each time they marry. Not only did I locate the married names of both gals, I determined their current addresses (one in Tenn. & one in NJ)and their phone numbers. For almost six months, I regularly sent them Facebook messages. I also sent them snail mail and left messages on their telephone answering systems. On a few occasions I sent Facebook messages to their children appealing for help. Nothing ever seemed to work.

About two weeks ago, I finally received a response from the older sister. She agreed to have her DNA tested if I paid for it as I offered. That day, Ancestry.com sent her the test kit.

And that's why you haven't heard from me lately...

Thanks to all you guys for the help you've provided,
Don

 

[Mike Lewis]

A fascinating story, Don. Have you throught of writing an article for one of the family-oriented magazines based on your experience? I'm sure there are other folk in similar situations who would benefit from reading it.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[OldtTimerDon]

Mike,
I've considered writing such an article. There are a number of details that I skipped. One of them concerns my mother who in the early 1950s became a pioneer as one of the first New York City women cab drivers. She frequently drove double shifts and even had an article written about her in the defunct NY World-Telegram and Sun. Needless to say, she had an element of toughness about her. Incidentally, I was a human interest columnist (it's called a "stringer") for a major New Jersey newspaper for four years and as you might have guessed, I enjoy writing.

My main problem is so many interests and the lack of enough hours in a day. Income is my secondary problem... it's called none.

My next life will be different...
Don